Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Zaz, a rising star in French music

Today, I would like to introduce you to a very special young lady. Her name is Isabelle Geffroy, but in France and in Europe, she is known as "Zaz."

Zaz became a "Star" just three years ago, but she has been involved in music her whole life. She was born in the center of France, near Tours. When she was a child, she joined the renowned Tours music academy where she studied the violin, the piano, the guitar and singing. She is only 11 when she leaves the academy, but she will keep working hard at her art over the next few years, more noticeably in Bordeaux. She claims she was inspired by Vivaldi; jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald; French singers such as Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour; Jacques Brel; Bobby Mc Ferrin, and she loves rap, afro, latino, and cuban music. Drawing from a variety of styles and influences, she has created her own sound. They refer to it as "Zaz's gypsy jazz sound." Maybe. To me, her music is unique, inspired and... happy! Let me warn you, her tunes are catchy and addictive.

Here is her breakthrough single, "Je Veux" (I Want.) Zaz is not a materialistic girl and she wants the world to know!

There she is, singing in the streets, with a couple of musicians. Does she remind you of someone? Zaz has often been compared to the great Edith Piaf,who started as a street performer. Like Piaf, Zaz is renowned for her "gouaille," a cheeky, outspoken way of expressing herself. While still an unknown singer, I suspect she did justice to all of the great Piaf's songs, but also infused them with her own style and personality.

Zaz, "une personnalité" (a "character")
(Unknown photographer)

Even though she looks barely 20, Zaz is in her early 30s and has been performing with small bands all over Europe for years. She is full of life, passionate, [admittedly] loud; loves the stage, and in spite of appearances (she makes it all look so easy,) is a hard worker.

Zaz on stage
(unknown photographer)

Her voice is unique. Husky, broken at times, but powerful. The girl also has rhythm. She can imitate the sound of a trumpet like there is no tomorrow. As a side note, like me, she enjoys walking in city streets and people-watch. Here is another favorite song: Les Passants (the Passers-by.) This is a live version, just Zaz and two musician friends, performing in Paris near Montmartre.

If you look up Zaz's videos on YouTube, you will notice there are many versions of her songs, both official videos and live sessions, recorded in concert or in the street. Often, comments are written by fans based in Greece or in Eastern Europe, Russia for example. That is because she toured extensively in those countries before she made it to the big leagues. She also performed (primarily in small venues) in Egypt and Japan. Now that she is famous, she continues to tour in France and around Europe. According to herofficial website, Zaz will be in Germany this spring.

Here is the official version of my favorite Zaz song: "La Fée" (the Fairy.) I heard this is an amateur video a father shot of his young children (both Zaz fans, apparently.) He sent it to the singer, who loved and adopted it. The words in the song are somewhat mysterious, and it starts like this: "Moi aussi, j'ai une fée chez moi..." (I have a fairy in my house, too...)

Zaz, if you are reading this, when are you coming to Seattle? I know you prefer performing in small venues, and I think I have just the place for you! Check this out: You, too, could perform at the venerable Paramount Theatre, a local landmark. Imagine your name up there, in big letters! I will bring a crowd, that's a promise! The Pacific Northwest could use some of your contagious joie de vivre this time of year. Think about it, d'accord?

An experienced musician and performer, Zaz still only has a couple of albums out. Here is her breakthrough CD, released in 2010.

I have also heard of a Live album but have not listened to it yet. It is featured on her website.

In 2010, she officially became France's favorite female performer, and the rumor has it her concerts sell out in a few hours. She is courted by renowned TV shows, where she appears on occasion, a bit shy, but true to her style, and often performs with more established French artists. I saw her recently in an interview with renowned French composer and singer Pierre Perret. She did more than hold her own! The song is Perret's moving "Mon P'tit Loup." (My little darling.) Beautiful.

And here she is. 32 years old. Une étoile qui monte (a rising star,) in European music. I listen to Zaz a lot. She is French, but also a citizen of the world, because her music incorporates so many styles and cultures. No wonder she has such a widespread appeal. Respectful of the past and her idols, Zaz also looks forward and creates a brand new sound. From now on, the sky is the limit! If you don't know her yet, do yourself a favor, and download her music. You will not be regret it.

A bientôt.

For those of you who speak French, this website lists the words of all Zaz songs on the 2010 "Je Veux" album, as well as the video clips. Enjoy!

All right. If you insist. There is always an Encore, after all. So, for those of you who have not had enough, voilà two more video clips.

Zaz sings Edith Piaf: During a French TV show, she interprets "Padam-Padam" for the audience and French singer Veronique Sanson.

The video with kids is irresistible. Love Zaz for a couple of years and discovered her accidentally. Her record was playing while the passengers were boarding flight Paris-Toronto. She is so genuine and unpretentious and original. Thank you.Natalie

Salut Véronique! I decided to drop by as I hadn't had any new posts from you on my dashboard and I was curious - just as well as I see you have had some problems with it. Anyway - great post about Zaz. As you know I'm a huge fan and listening to her music is always so uplifting. http://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/

So sorry to read that you still have not solved the Blogger problem. Did you double-check your Publishing link, that it is under you 'main' blog name and not the latest blog? If I do right click on French Girl in Seatle, the latest blog shows. When I right click on my own than the main page opens and my newest post shows up on the side bar. Just try this again...Zaz does have some talent and she's so down to earth! Hope she will hold her own for quite some time to come.Love to you,

Dearest Mariette: Thank you so much. You have been so kind and helpful during the whole Blogger debacle. I am glad you enjoyed Zaz and her music. I will email you tonight to let you know what happened...

Dearest Mariette. I can't thank you enough for all your support and technical help over the last few weeks. I will not forget your kindness. It looks like, thanks to Le Husband, we are now in the clear, hopefully for a while. I agree with you: What a huge waste of time! Hugs to you and Georgia!

I'm sorry to hear about your problems with Blogger. You have my sympathy because I had a lot of trouble with my feed at the back end of last year too.In the end I got so exasperated I actually deleted my blog and started again.Glad to hear you've sorted things out!

I loooooove this post!! Fantastic write-up, Veronique. I had never heard of Zaz before and I'm so pleased I know about her now. Her voice is wonderful. I listened to all these videos, by the way. Haha. She has a very smoky yet whimsical tone to her voice. It's very unique. I think my favorite song is the fairy one. I'm going to have it stuck in my head for the rest of the day now. Well, the beat at least. I don't know the lyrics. :P

Oh no. The fairy song is completely addictive. Really hard to get out of your head once you have listened to it a couple of times. I should have warned you! ;-) You can go to that website I mentioned for the lyrics. They are a little strange and I am not sure I understand them ;-)

It was a feed problem. Le Husband fixed it last night. Thank you for trying to help. Most people were clueless, still it appears to be a common issue on Blogger. I am lucky Fred got rid of the problem, but how frustrating!

It' so late here in Perth but I couldn't not listen to Zaz, how fabulous is she!! I love her jazzy style, I haven't heard 'scatting' in French before, tres groovy! I think Edith Piaf would have thoroughly enjoyed her version of La vie en Rose, so good! We still have a few small music stores here in Perth that sell international music so will see if I can find her CD OR even better I'll get Aimee to download it pour moi, merci beaucoup Veronique et bon nuit!

Ah, Zaz kept you up, then, Grace! ;-) Downloading her songs might be the easiest way to go. Let me know what you think once you have listened to all her songs. ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL AUSTRALIAN SUMMER (I wish!)

She is a girl after my own heart. Thanks for sharing. She reminds me of Pink a little...maybe her raspy voice and maybe a little of her attitude. Fun post...now let me go listen to more of her songs. =) Bon weekend!

Bonjour Annie. I stopped by today indeed, and had a fabulous time in your shop! I took pictures of some favorite things and will be showing them on Le Blog soon if that is all right with you! Eddie is a sweetheart! (and your husband very friendly too! ;-) A bientot!

Oh I love hearing about Zaz. I especially liked "Padam, Padam". When I was in Paris last January, the singers and dancers on rue Mouffetard sang that song. Thank you for introducing me to this delightful new voice from France.V

I have come here to check for your answer, but I haven't found my comment! In the last few months, this has happened the second time. I really love Zaz; I have been listening to her on YouTube for several years.

Ohhhh, i love this post, because i love ZAZ too! The funny thing is that i loved her before my move in France. And this is strange because the french music isn't so common abroad, particularly in Italy.

Anyway, i love her voice. My favorite song is obviously the happy "Je veux", but also "Eblouie Par La Nuit", that instead is really sad.

I love special and unusual voices. For example now in France have a new young star, that is "coeur de pirate". A really special and sweet voice. Do you know her?

Veronique, loved your blog! Love ZAZ, she's amazing, too! You're involved with four of my passions in life: English, French, music and traveling. What's not to like about your blog. Congratulations!!!Have you ever heard of Anne Limpscomb? She's also from Seattle and, due to a health condition, lives part-time in Paris every year. I also love her videos and blog.

Bonjour Veronique, j'adore votre blog! I realize this is an older post but I found it because I was looking for Zaz...I love French music and I think she's great ! I've been studying French language for two years in anticipation of a long vacation in France later this year. I hope to read more of your stories here ! Merci beaucoup !

Bonjour! I love hearing from you, my readers. To quote a fellow blogger, my friend Owen, "Comments are the icing on blogcake... Comments are the UFO in the twilight sky bearing news from other planets... Comments are raspberry vinegar in salad dressing... Comments are the cool balm of after-sun moisturizing lotion... Comments are the moment the band comes back out onstage to play an encore... Comments are the gleam in the eye across the room in a smoky bar... Comments are the rainbow after the rainstorm..." Merci for your comments! French Girl in Seattle

About Me

... or more precisely, bienvenue chez Véronique, a French native who moved to Seattle in 1996. Le blog was originally created to keep in touch with my French students, relatives and friends... and then something happened and readers kept coming! I tell stories about la Belle France, and all things French; and when on the road, travel stories with a French twist. Come and join the fun, here on the blog, or on Facebook: Our community is growing fast! -- A bientôt.